After struggling with her weight throughout childhood, Jacquelyn B. Fletcher lost 100 pounds — and has kept it off for nearly two decades. Here, she recalls the moment she realized her body — and her life — would be forever changed.

After her 22-year marriage ended, Kandace MacKaben began examining her path forward as her caretaker role was changing. She never expected a long-distance bike trip to lead her to a new identity. Here, Kandace recalls how she changed her life.